Duyfken Foundation makes pitch to State Government to keep ship in WA

THE Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation will make a fresh pitch to the State Government in a bid to keep its prized sailing ship in WA.

There was talk last month the Dutch replica could be headed to the Netherlands after the government decided not to renew an annual staffing grant worth $170,000, expiring this year, and $125,000 for maintenance, which expires in 2021.

Foundation chief executive Peter Bowman told Community News his suggestion involves bundling four years worth of maintenance funding into two years, giving them $250,000 over 24 months to keep the ship sea-worthy and staff paid.

He said talks with the government would take place Thursday.

The ship has been based at the South of Perth Yacht Club since September.

It was moved there from Fremantle ahead of a six-month season offering patrons twilight sailing experiences on the Swan River.

Despite storm damage hampering the vessel late last year, Mr Bowman said those who had taken the chance to hop on board had not been let down.

“It brings history out of the books,” he said.

“It’s a living museum. It’s got a pulse.”

Built in Fremantle and launched in 1999, the $3.7 million Duyfken is a copy of the one used by the first Europeans to set foot on Australian soil in 1606, some 10 years prior to Dirk Hartog’s arrival aboard the Eendracht in 1616.